Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Dec 28, 2018 05:07am | #1

   Ryan,
   Your question is unclear. Are you talking about a slab or a wall? If you are talking about a slab, you might want to read this article: "Polyethylene Under Concrete Slabs."

   Unlike an air barrier, a vapor barrier can have holes in it without significantly reducing its effectiveness as a vapor barrier. If a vapor barrier consists of 96% membrane and 4% holes, it is still 96% as effective as a membrane with no holes.

2. 
   rhl_ | Dec 28, 2018 09:48am | #2

   Sorry I meant under the floor slab.

3. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Dec 28, 2018 09:57am | #3

   Ryan,
   Did you read the article I linked to? This one: "Polyethylene Under Concrete Slabs."

4. 
   rhl_ | Dec 28, 2018 10:04am | #4

   I just started — apologies. Edited my response

5. 
   rhl_ | Dec 28, 2018 01:10pm | #5

   Perhaps these were the plans I was mentioning? The link is now broken.
   https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/detail-library/building-plans-for-energy-efficient-basement-remodeling

6. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Dec 28, 2018 01:38pm | #6

   Ryan,
   I think you meant to copy this link:
   https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/cad/detail/building-plans-for-energy-efficient-basement-remodeling

1. 
   rhl_ | Dec 28, 2018 06:33pm | #7

   Aha, the link on the article needs to be updated..

7. 
   rhl_ | Dec 28, 2018 10:06pm | #8

   One last question:

   Would there be any problems if when in addition to the build described one added:

   Schluter Bekotec above the Polyethylene for laying out floor heat pipes? This is essentially R-2 of EPS foam.

   So the layout from top to bottom of the basement floor would be:

   Concrete slab
   Pipes and bekotec or equivalent
   Polytheline vapor barrier
   R-20 of Rigid Foam (EPS or XPS)
   4” 3/4” clean washed stone
   Mother nature

   https://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/Modular-Screed-Systems/Schluter%C2%AE-BEKOTEC/p/BEKOTEC